Neither Fish Nor Foul Gold Star Program Gold Star

We believe you shouldn’t put boundaries around what you write based on where it fits in. You should write for the sheer joy of expressing exactly what it is you have to say. You should be bold and playful and take risks. Polish it, perfect it, then send it to us to publish.

If we were looking for an animal it would be a bottom-feeder ugly bastard fish, with feathers on its fins and a coxcomb. Riding a penny farthing.

We want to create a supportive, creative, inclusive community, where all kinds of writers at all stages of their writing life can thrive.

Quota: This project has established a quota. Submissions will close when it is reached.

Theme: Cake. Flash Fiction and Cover Art Free Tip Jar OptionOpen

Closes on Monday, August 25, 2025 11:59 PM GMT Daylight Time (in 70 days).

For Issue Five of Neither Fish Nor Foul I’m looking for flash fiction which in some way references cake. I want cake as metaphor, cake as form, cake as proverb, cake as … well, you tell me but above all surprise and entertain me with your slantwise thinking. Yes, I want my cake and I want to eat it too (see what I did there?)

Writers: 100 - 500 word limit for this limited time themed call.

Artists: I’m looking for cover art and for art to support each story.

Submit

Fiction (no theme,)Temp Closed

We currently accept fiction with a word count of between 50 - 1,000 words. We want the odds socks that rock. Things that make you go hmmm. The shyly anarchic, the wisdom of fools, the absurd heartbreakers.

There are no genre requirements.

One story at a time please. Once we have responded to your current submission you are welcome to send something else - there is no time restraint, regardless of whether we accept or decline your work. But please don't re-send work we've already declined, even if you've edited it.

Preference for Times New Roman 12pt double spaced but we don't make a decision based on font size (or spelling or punctuation). We will, if we accept your work, put it into house style so let us know if there's a stylistic reason for the formatting you've chosen. Be aware our website has only limited ability to show some forms.

Please don't put your name in the attachment - we don't look at names until we accept a piece because then we won't be influenced if you turn out to be our granny.

Please include a short (up to 100 word, third person) author bio. It’s not a deal-breaker though.

We will temporarily suspend our general fiction submissions if we have a themed call.

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